The structure of a semi-structured interview is usually organized around an aide memoire or interview guide. This contains topics. themes, or areas to be covered during the course of the interview. rather than a sequenced script of standardized questions. The aim is usually to ensure flexibility in how and in what sequence questions are asked, and in whether and how particular areas might be followed up and developed with different interviewees. This is so that the interview can be shaped by the interviewee's own understandings as well as the researcher's interests. Nonetheless, the success and validity of the semi-structured interview rests on the extent to which the respondents' opinions are truly reflected. Table 1 provides more information related to the semi-structured protocols used in this study.
The semi-structured interviews were mostly based on what was reported in the trade literature such as CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly, CILT's Logistics and Transport Focus, Supply Chain Asia, The Journal of Commerce, American Shipper, etc. The issues highlighted in the trade literature related to modern logistics practices where then asked if these practices were being implemented in Vietnam and what was the current